Shotgun shell retainer and dispenser

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a unique means for holding and dispensing shotgun shells from a vest made to fit on your chest and distribute the weight in a manner that you hardly know it is there, leaving you with complete freedom of movement in your arms and shoulders. The retainer and dispensing mechanism is such that you can use it in cold weather while wearing gloves and dispense shells, primer end first into your palm for rapid fumble free loading. The retainer and release mechanism is positive, simple and very economical to produce.

[0001] References cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,864,541 R. L. Altick Dec. 16, 1958   516,967 G. B. Dudley Mar. 20, 1894   487,556 G. B. Dudley Dec. 6, 1892 4,843,649 E. J. Jewell Jul. 4, 1989 3,845,889 R. M. Hurd Nov. 5, 1974 5,127,565 K. P. Grant Jul. 7, 1992   725,903 F. Wilcomb Apr. 21, 1903 1,212,513 R. A. Langerman Jan. 16, 1917 1,116,128 M. Rudloff Nov. 3, 1914 1,224,842 H. W. Boyd May 1, 1917 4,502,612 Morrison Mar. 5, 1985 0,270,585 Matti Viio Sep. 20, 1983 5,924,613 J. E. Johnson Jul. 20, 1999 0,268,136 D. N. Pressentin May 31, 1983 6,182,291 J. Garvey Feb. 6, 2001 3,986,286 L. R. J. Strangle Oct. 19, 1976 0,292,849 P. Dickie Nov. 24, 1987 4,498,612 J. A. Geekie, Jr. Feb. 12, 1985 5,813,157 B. R. Scott Sep. 29, 1998 0,398,949 M. K. Franks Sep. 29, 1998 0,379,840 P. Koch Jun. 10, 1997 3,885,248 B. A. Salsby May 27, 1975 5,913,409 Pete B. Test Jun. 22, 1999

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various devices and contrivances have been proposed for holding and dispensing shells. None known to me has been completely satisfactory for a variety of reasons and none at this time known to me are in production. Some retainers have been limited by the number of shells that they may conveniently handle. In others the construction employed for holding or releasing the shells is often inadequate and resulting in either inadvertent dropping and loss of shells or difficulty and slow extracting of the shells when they are needed. The intricate construction present in some devices has been reflected in a high cost of manufacturing, thereby prohibiting the use of and manufacturing of such devices to all. Some devices employing rigid shell retaining pouches are uncomfortable and limit flexibility to the hunter. Others are limited by shell size; designed for use with a specific shell size and are unsuitable for any but that specific size. The purchaser of such a device if available is handicapped since the usefulness of the device is severely limited. Some dispensers are useless if you wear gloves when hunting. All shell holders in use today are loops, pockets, bags or boxes which require trying to grasp the correct end of the shell (the primer end) to retrieve it from a pocket, pouch or box to then be loaded into your gun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an objective of this invention to provide a shell retainer and dispenser which will accommodate the hunter in a highly practical and satisfactory manner with a very positive and quick release mechanism that not only is simple and efficient, but one that is superior to all other retainer and dispensers due to the design of my invention. The manufacturing process is less complicated and much more economical to produce.

[0004] More specifically, the objective of the invention is to provide a slim looking device that rides flat on your chest holding a supply of shells, fifty (50) in number, which includes a novel means of accommodating the speedy removal of shells from the device as they are needed even if you are wearing gloves. Shells are gravity fed and drop into the palm of your hand when released, primer end first, ready to load into your shotgun without fumbling or dropping them on the ground. The device leaves you complete freedom of movement with better weight distribution. A woman or a young person may wear the device without effort or discomfort and easily and quickly handle the release mechanism of the device due to the simplicity of the design of the invention.

[0005] Another objective is to carry shells on you chest and eliminate the dead weight of a bulky pocket full of shells that rattle and bump your leg when you walk. It provides a very rapid method of dispensing shells into your hand for instant, fumble free loading and providing complete freedom of movement in your arms and shoulders.

[0006] This device is not just for hunters, but also useful for skeet and trap shooting. The two finest features is the ability to carry a large number of shells in comfort with each of the shells ready for instant use at your fingertips with no searching or digging into a bulging pocket or bag and complete freedom of movement in your arms and shoulders. In fact, you will hardly notice you are carrying two boxes of shells on your chest.

[0007] Fifty (50) shells ride one upon another in one of ten pleats or tubes. By gently squeezing the spring mechanism at the bottom of each tube with your thumb and finger, you can quickly release the gravity fed shells into the palm of your hand for rapid fumble free loading.

[0008] Shells can be organized in the tubes or pleats according to shot size or velocity and can be selected correctly without looking even on dark, cloudy days.

[0009] The preferred shell retainer and dispenser of this invention has an elongated container portion comprised of a flexible material, preferably nylon, cotton fabric or other suitable material, adapted to hold a series of shells stacked end to end one on top of another in ten tubes or pleats. The cross-sectional dimension of the container is preferably selected to be great enough to accommodate the largest of the most commonly used shell which is the 12-gauge shell but maintained small enough that smaller shells such as the 16-gauge and 20-gauge shells can be used in the container without wedging side by side within the container, thus showing one of the unique features of the container for its all around use.

[0010] The container is provided with a novel “closure means” normally closing the lower portion or the bottom of the pleats or tubes of the container by means of a pair of resilient stainless steel springs mechanism which may be deformed manually with a gentle squeeze between the thumb and finger which in turn releases a gravity fed shell into the palm of your hand. The spring mechanism when “at resf” (not compressed) holds all the shells above it in place preventing their release until needed. This “spring closure means” will accommodate three shell sizes, 12-gauge, 16-gauge and 20-gauge with equal proficiency. The “spring closure means” is constructed to enable shells to be removed one at a time or in plural numbers if so desired. The design is such that two shells may be released side by side into your palm to accommodate the double barrel shotgun enthusiast.

[0011] Another objective is to provide such a shell retainer and dispenser wherein the spring mechanism closing the lower end of the tubes is such that shells tend to be aligned in correct position ready for ejection during the intervals that the spring mechanism is “at rest” or is closed (not compressed).

[0012] Another objective of this invention is to provide a vest to be worn by hunters and sportsmen comprised of fabric that is light, flexible, water resistant and comfortable even when carrying two boxes of shells on your chest without restricting the full range of motion of your arms and shoulders.

[0013] Another objective is to provide a shell retainer and dispenser that a woman or a young person can utilize and wear with no problem or discomfort, light enough and flexible enough to wear with only minor adjustments to the harness that holds the vest.

[0014] Another objective is to provide a shell retainer and dispenser in such a garment that not only has a novel means for releasing shells, but by inverting the garment, the shells may be easily loaded very rapidly into the garment while compressing the spring mechanism of each pleat until each pleat is fill. You may also reload each tube as you walk along by compressing the spring mechanism with one hand and pushing shells up into the tube and then releasing the “spring closure means”. This also provides a garment that will protect the shells from the elements. On cold days you can wear gloves and still have a positive release of shells into your palm.

[0015] These and other objectives and advantages are attained by the present invention. Various novel features of which will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] (FIG. 1) Illustrates a vest adapted to be strapped on to a person's chest and having a series of elongated shell container compartments, pleats or tubes constructed according to an embodiment of this invention. The straps or harness carries the weight on the back and shoulders, is fully adjustable and readily removable to accommodate another vest using the same harness. The vest has ten compartments, pleats or tubes and each pleat will hold five shells with a “retainer and dispensing” mechanism at the lower end of each tube. Each harness has a back strap to position the vest properly on the chest and distribute the weight evenly to the back and shoulders.

[0017] (FIG. 2) Illustrates a side view of the lower end of the vest or tube with a shell enclosed resting on the pair of stainless steel springs that are sewn into position in the fabric and they are in the “at rest” position (not compressed). A thumb is shown on the front part of the spring dispensing mechanism (or pleat) and the finger or fingers are on the back part of the vest or spring dispensing mechanism. The palm of the hand is under the pleat ready to catch the gravity fed shell when a gentle squeeze by the thumb and finger is applied to the spring dispensing mechanism. The thumb and finger compress the springs very slightly to cause them to form a circle and release the shell into the palm of the hand, primer end first, with no fumbling.

[0018] (FIG. 3) This is a bottom view of the vest or pleats showing the primer end of the shells being retained from dropping on the ground while the spring mechanism is “at rest” (not compressed). With a gentle squeeze of the thumb and finger, the pair of springs are compressed at the bottom of each tube to form a circle releasing the shells into your palm. Invert the vest and compress the springs and you will be able to load the entire vest in just a few minutes. Notice that the springs ends or eyes are touching each other at the front of the vest (the pleat side) and the springs ends or eyes are wider apart at the back of the vest. This is done to so that only a gentle squeeze will compress the springs causing them to form a circle and release the shells. The shells are still held securely in place when walking or jumping over a log in the field when the springs are in the “at rest” position (not compressed).

[0019] (FIG. 4) Shows the exact shape of the springs with each end rolled into a small circle or eye to give a broader surface when compressing the springs. These eyes on the end of the springs act like a ball bearing on the fabric protecting it from undue wear. It also gives the thumb and fingers a broader surface for comfort when compressing the springs. Notice that the springs ends are shown with the eyes of the springs touching at one end and apart at the other end. The rolled end or eye of the springs are formed on the convex side of the springs to prevent the eye from hampering the release of the shells when compressing the springs. Both springs have a gentle curve in them to make the release easier with only a slight movement of compression with the thumb and finger causing them to form the release circle to drop a shell into the palm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A brief description of the drawings show a shell retainer and dispenser or vest. In (FIG. 1) the vest is made of 2 pieces of heavy cotton or similar material with the front side sewn into pleats (2) or shell tubes and the back (6) is a flat piece of nylon or similar material. Four “D” rings (4) are attached to the vest, a harness (1) or shoulder straps are attached to the D rings (4) and has a cross band (7) across the back to position the vest properly on the chest and help distribute the weight of the vest to the back and shoulders when fully loaded with (50) fifty shells (5) without binding or restricting movement in the arms and shoulders therefore making it more comfortable to wear. In (FIG. 2, and 3) the springs (3) are sewn into the lower end or bottom of the vest in pairs (FIG. 3) with the front side or pleat side (2) of the ends of the springs (3) touching each other and the other end of the springs (3) that touch the back (6) of the vest are about ½ inch apart. This makes it possible to release a shell (5) with only a slight compression of the springs before they form a circle to release the shells. In (FIG. 4) the stainless steel or nylon springs (3) are formed at each end with a roll or an eye to the convex side of each spring to protect the fabric and make it more comfortable when compressing the springs for it gives you a wider surface to press with your thumb and finger. (FIG. 4) Shows the exact curve of each spring (3) with the ends rolled towards the convex side of the spring. (FIG. 3) Shows the shells being held in place with the springs in the “at rest” position (not compressed). (FIG. 3) You can also see the fabric covering each spring with a stitch sewn at the base of each spring, on each side of the pair of springs and this stitch goes all the way to the top of the vest making a pleat or tube for the storage of the shells. In (FIG. 2) the springs (3) may be compressed to release a shell into the palm of your hand. Compress the springs with the thumb on the front part of the pleat and the finger or fingers on the back of the vest at the very bottom of the pleats. By a gentle squeeze with the finger and thumb you may compress the pair of springs causing them to form a circle which releases the gravity fed shell into the palm of your hand, primer end first for rapid, fumble free loading. By using the heel of your hand (FIG. 2) and several fingers behind the vest, you may compress the springs of two tubes at one time releasing two shells side by side into your palm for the double barrel enthusiasts.

[0021] The shells (5) are placed into the pleats one upon another by inverting the vest and compressing the springs to form a circle, dropping five shells into each pleat or tube with the primer facing the bottom of the vest. When in the upright position they rest on the springs in the “at rest” position (FIG. 3) (not compressed) and are gravity fed into your hand when the pair of springs (3) are compressed with the thumb and finger.

[0022] (FIG. 4) Each pair of stainless steel springs are sewn into the bottom of the front or pleated part of the vest. The springs are laid out in pairs across the bottom edge of the fabric, touching each other at one end or eye to eye, then skipping about ½ inch between the next set of springs and go all the way across the front or pleated portion of the fabric positioning each pair of springs the same way. Fold the fabric over the springs and sew a hem horizontal to the bottom of the material which holds the springs in place. Now sew a vertical hem at the end of each pair of springs to hold them in place, right and left. Now flip the fabric over and start sewing the front and the back together making pleats or shell tubes by sewing a vertical hem at each end of the springs where they touch the back, leaving ½ inch between each pair of springs. Sew the top of the pleats closed. Sew the D rings (4), two on the top corners of the vest, two about 4 inches from the bottom of the vest on each side and you have a shell retainer and dispensing vest like no other ready for the straps to hold it in place on your chest.

[0023] (FIG. 1, 2 and 3) In the embodiment illustrated the spring mechanism comprises a pair of stainless steel springs positioned opposing each other, eyes touching at one end and the other end is about one-half inch apart making it easier and faster to compress the springs causing them to form a circle releasing the shells without hindering their release in any way. The springs are sewn into the bottom end of each pleat in pairs and when in their “at rest” position the spring mechanism without fail closes off the shell containers or pleats and they hold or retain all shells in the pleats or tubes above the springs. The lowermost shell in a pleat tends to position itself directly over the springs in an optimum position ready for ejecting when so desired and the springs are compressed.

[0024] Referring to (FIG. 1), wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the invention is shown incorporated in a vest, adapted to the wearer by means of a harness or shoulder straps with a band across the back and an under arm connection to the lower end of the vest to keep it close to the body even when bending over. The body portion of the vest is comprised of a fabric, preferably treated so as to have some degree of water resistance and therefore protecting the shells carried by the retainer from the elements.

[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in (FIG. 1, 2 and 3) the body portion has a series of ten parallel pleats (2) or tubes. As can be seen in (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) the bottom of each pleat or tube has a pair of springs sewn into the fabric to retain the shells or release them as the springs are compressed manually. Since the base of the shell or primer end is somewhat wider than the body of the shell, if the compression of the springs is released before the shell completely clears the vest, the springs will hold the shell until you pull the shell clear of the spring mechanism. The spring mechanism will hold the next shell in the pleat preventing it from being released for the the primer end of the shell is wider than the body of the shell that was just released insuring a safer release of shells. Shells may be released one at a time by the operation described above. If it is desired to clear out a number of shells, the spring mechanism may be compressed and maintained in this position until the required number of shells have been removed. At the base of the pleats or tubes, shells are not retained by a clamping pressure, but are held within the container portion through a locking engagement of the spring mechanism employed when the springs are in the “at rest” position (not compressed).

[0026] While there has been described several embodiments of this invention, it is intended not to be limited thereto and it is desired to cover all modifications and variations which will be apparent to one skilled in the art and that come within the scope of the appended claims. 

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. The most simple and positive shell retainer and dispenser ever designed or invented and made using heavy duty nylon fabric or canvas like material for comfort and durability.
 2. The quickest, safest and most economical retainer and dispenser to manufacture.
 3. Faster fumble free loading with the shells primer end dropping into your palm.
 4. Positive gravity feed system throughout all fifty (50) shells.
 5. Equal speed in releasing shells for right or left handed shooters whether standing or sitting.
 6. May remove one shell at a time or two side by side or any number desired to be released at one time.
 7. Different shot sizes or velocity of shells can be removed without looking even in the dark.
 8. No bulging pockets with shells bumping and bruising your legs when walking and no more shells rattling in your pockets, all quiet and compact.
 9. No more transferring shells to empty shooters side pockets from the other side pockets.
 10. Release mechanism closes the bottom of the tube preventing loss of shells while readying the next shell for release.
 11. Vest will handle a wide variety of shell sizes; 12-gauge, 16-gauge and 20-gauge with equal proficiency.
 13. The spring mechanism requires very little movement to release a shell into your palm with simple finger-thumb pressure to compress the springs.
 14. You have complete freedom of movement in the arms and shoulders with the vest fully loaded for weight is evenly distributed to the back and shoulders.
 15. A woman or young person can easily handle the weight and shell release.
 16. Wearing gloves on cold days will not hamper release of shells into your palm.
 17. Specially designed stainless steel springs with an eye or circle on each end acts as a ball bearing in the fabric and will not rust or cut the fabric.
 18. The most shells (50) carried in a vest on your chest “comfortably” ever designed. You hardly know you are carrying two boxes of shells.
 19. Shells are shielded from the elements in a vest with removable straps or harness that is adjustable for all to use, large or small.
 20. This invention provides a shell retainer and dispensing vest that can be worn under or over the shooters favorite hunting jacket or vest if he so desires. 